Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Hodder Children's Books (2015), Edition: Film tie-in edition, 352 pages
Description
Romance. Humor (Fiction.) Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML:An irreverent and irresistible New York Times bestselling romance between the so-called Designated Ugly Fat Friend and the Hot Jock. Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper may not be the prettiest girl in her high school, but she has a loyal group of friends, a biting wit, and a spot-on BS detector. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush, who calls Bianca the Duff??the Designated Ugly Fat Friend??of her crew. But things aren't so great at home and Bianca, desperate for a distraction, ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him. Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone. &… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member ericajsc
I didn’t think it would happen, but I kind of fell in love with this book. I was afraid that all of the buzz would leave me disappointed, but, oh, how my mind was blown!
Bianca isn’t perfect, but she knows this, and it’s one of the reasons that I love her as a character. At first I wasn’t
Because, yes, Wesley Rush is hot. Hot in that “Why, won’t someone please tell me why, does he have to be so hot when he’s a disgusting pig?” sort of way. Hot in that “I’m going to kill him or kiss him” sort of way. So yeah, he’s got that going for him. Now I will say that, though I was mesmerized by his arrogant swagger, he doesn’t make it to the top of my Super Hot Book Boyfriends list because I don’t think there’s enough revealed about him to make an informed decision of that magnitude. Yes, he has Feelings and he Cares, but, really? Other than the fact that he’s a hot womanizer with money (or parents with money who apparently are okay with spending unholy amounts of money on a car for their high school son), all I really know about him is that he’s competitive and is capable of writing (or contributing to) a decent English paper. But then there is the fact that I do love him so! I attribute this mostly to the fact that he is the writer of the best note ever to grace a high school classroom!
But of course, the book is about more than an infuriatingly hot boy. After Wesley introduces her to the term Duff, Bianca is obsessed with the idea of it. She notices the phenomenon around her school. Wesley’s use of the nickname Duffy, whether he intends it to be callous or playful, forces her to figure out what it means to be a Duff, and whether she’s okay with it or not.
This book is snarky, sexy, and even painful at times, but what makes it really stand out is that it is a thoughtfully executed story.
Bianca isn’t perfect, but she knows this, and it’s one of the reasons that I love her as a character. At first I wasn’t
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sure that I could even buy the idea that she would ever be at a place where she would fathom kissing Wesley Rush, as she comes across as extremely stubborn from the beginning. But Keplinger presents it in such a way that it is believable in the moment. As more of Bianca’s past (and present, for that matter) are revealed, her choices in her dealings with Wesley make more and more sense. The fact that he is perfectly content to be used as her escape makes it easy for her to continue seeking him out. And, though she hates it because she despises everything about the man-slut he is, she does find the boy to be attractive, which helps with her escapist plan.Because, yes, Wesley Rush is hot. Hot in that “Why, won’t someone please tell me why, does he have to be so hot when he’s a disgusting pig?” sort of way. Hot in that “I’m going to kill him or kiss him” sort of way. So yeah, he’s got that going for him. Now I will say that, though I was mesmerized by his arrogant swagger, he doesn’t make it to the top of my Super Hot Book Boyfriends list because I don’t think there’s enough revealed about him to make an informed decision of that magnitude. Yes, he has Feelings and he Cares, but, really? Other than the fact that he’s a hot womanizer with money (or parents with money who apparently are okay with spending unholy amounts of money on a car for their high school son), all I really know about him is that he’s competitive and is capable of writing (or contributing to) a decent English paper. But then there is the fact that I do love him so! I attribute this mostly to the fact that he is the writer of the best note ever to grace a high school classroom!
But of course, the book is about more than an infuriatingly hot boy. After Wesley introduces her to the term Duff, Bianca is obsessed with the idea of it. She notices the phenomenon around her school. Wesley’s use of the nickname Duffy, whether he intends it to be callous or playful, forces her to figure out what it means to be a Duff, and whether she’s okay with it or not.
This book is snarky, sexy, and even painful at times, but what makes it really stand out is that it is a thoughtfully executed story.
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LibraryThing member jjameli
Though the language and sexuality of The Duff is unrestrained it did nothing to deter from the greatness of the story being told. Let's be honest, I'm not too old to know that this is realistic. Do I cringe that this is the norm, yes, but why put the truth of today's youth under the rug? Bianca is
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a teenage girl with some self esteem issues. She feels she is the ugly duckling of her set of friends, and is not fond of Wes, the man slut, saying such out loud and to her. His words impact her, though she hates that it is affecting her. Things at home are not so great either, her mom is gone, and her dad refuses to see the reality of his situation. Somehow escaping a couple of hours with Wes makes her numb to her surrounding problems. Wes becomes her escape, but what starts off as a past time quickly changes when she begins to feel something..something real. Show Less
LibraryThing member SJKessel
Keplinger, K. (2010). The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend. New York: Poppy.
277 pages.
Appetizer: Seventeen-year-old Bianca was sitting out during all of the dances at the club that her two best friends dragged her to when, Wesley, the hottest and sluttiest guy from school informs her that she is
Bianca vows not to be bothered by Wesley's words, but after she learns that her mother won't be returning home anytime soon, she begins to worry that her father, a recovering alcoholic, might return to his worst habit, she finds herself in need of a distraction. That distraction comes in the form of using Wesley and by making out with him. Even though Bianca feels dirty after their encounter, soon enough she is repeatedly sleeping with him in secret.
For Bianca, being a secret is nothing new, the one boy she has ever loved kept her a secret as well. And now he's coming back into town with his fiancee. With all the parts of her life that are upsetting her, Bianca may not be able to leave Wesley's bed ever again.
The DUFF is getting a lot of rave reviews around the internets (and also as the occasional blogger acknowledges, some hate from the anal-judgey, pitchfork-wielding crowd on Amazon over the swearing and how far the multiple sex scenes push toward being explicit. But hey, anal-judges, some teens do have sex (and by "some" I mean most). For good and for bad reasons. So, it's nice to see a book that explores some of those motives. At least throughout the entire book, the characters are having SAFE sex. There are condoms EVERYWHERE!).
I found the book to be refreshing because it shares an experiences that are only occasionally explored separately and rarely bound together: Body image, self-esteem, class, name calling, the different ways guys and girls are perceived when they're promiscuous, parents getting divorced and being left with an alcoholic parent. There's even a brief tangent into discussing arguments in support of gay marriage. *wipes brow* It's a lot to take on.
But I absolutely loved Biana as a character. She felt very real. I loved how complex she was. Readers can relate to her because her concerns and worries are often their own. Then, towards the end of the book, there's even an opportunity for escapism when a love triangle rears its three giant heads.
I have to admit though, the ending did feel a wee bit abrupt. Very well-written, bringing together the lose ends (if not quite making a pretty bow), but still ABRUPT! Plus *very small vague spoiler* a female character randomly tripped at the end of the book to have a love interest pick her up. WHY?! WHY?! WHY?! Why are so many girls being portrayed as suddenly losing their ability to walk when a guy is near. I don't understand (but I do blame Bella Swan *shakes fist in Twilight's direction). Can't girls be coordinated AND get the guy? Internets, I am confused. Sure in freshman year, a mere week after I started dating my first boyfriend, I did almost walk into an electrical pole while talking to him and my friends. Okay, so it wasn't almost. I walked into the stupid electrical pole. But it was right beside the sidewalk. And there were too many of us walking together for us all to fit on said sidewalk. But even with walking into said giant, foot-wide pole, I did not fall! There was no hero necessary to pick up a would-be damsel in distress. The boyfriend laughed. I laughed too! Balance was maintained by all! Is it asking too much that girls in books get to stay on their feet too.
Also, whenever I do finish a romantic book or movie, I can't help but think about the couple as eventually becoming parents who must explain to their future-children how mommy and daddy met. Although Bianca makes it clear in the book that she is not "looking for a husband or whatever" (p. 243), I still couldn't help but worry for her and the tale she'd have to spin if it *did* work out.
Here's how I think her story would have to go as she sat down to tell her seven-year-old daughter how she and Daddy-Dear met: (MAJOR PLOT SPOILERS BELOW!)
Well Princess, Mommy hated daddy. He insulted her by saying she was her friends' "designated ugly fat friend." Then he nicknamed her Duffy for the next month to rub her face in it. And Mommy's skin crawled like icky bugs were on her whenever daddy got near. But after learning about grandpappy and grandmommy's divorce, Mommy freaked out and ended up kissing daddy. (Yay! *jazz hands*) And although the experience made Mommy feel icky all over for hours and hours after, Mommy later slept with daddy. Again and again. In fact, I'd say Mommy was addicted to having sex with him. But as our secret affair went on, Mommy slowly started to develop feelings for him and Mommy was jealous when Daddy flirted with other girls. Then! After Daddy saved Mommy from being abused by drunk Grandpappy, we truly connected. So, Mommy freaked out and dumped daddy and started dating the perfect, nerdy, gentlemanly guy that she'd had a crush on for aaaaaaall of high school. That was fun, but Mommy was still torn. And Mommy became aware of how she was putting herself at risk. And how she could have become pregnant. Because Mommy wasn't ready to have you yet, Babydoll. And so Mommy decided to be more careful about having sex in the future. And then Daddy sent her flowers! And that nice, gentlemanly boy figured out that Daddy and Mommy weren't over each other. So, he sent Mommy over to daddy. And then Mommy tripped. *Oh no!* But Daddy helped her back up and new what type of soda she preferred so we've been together ever since! Yay! Don't get addicted to running away, sex or alcohol. It runs in the family. Big kiss for Mommy! *Mwa* Sweet dreams, Buttercup.
That poor, traumatized, imaginary, future child.
PLOT SPOILERS HAVE ENDED! IT IS SAFE TO READ ONCE MORE!
I hope I didn't sound mean in that spoiler-tastic "what if" scenario. That wasn't my intention. Because I really enjoyed this book, the conclusions Bianca reaches about the people in her life. And not only does this book share an experience often overlooked in fiction, but it is well-written by an author who is still a teenager herself (she answers some fun questions about the book here). At eighteen or nineteen, there is no way I could have written such an enlightened and honest account of high school that was so fair to the secondary-characters as The Duff was. Major props to Kody Keplinger.
Dinner Conversation:
"This was getting old.
Once again, Casey and Jessica were making complete fools of themselves, shaking their asses like dancers in a rap video. But I guess guys eat that shit up, don't they? I could honestly feel my IQ dropping as I wondered, for the hundredth time that night, why I'd let them drag me here again" (p. 1).
"I've got to hand it to you; you're smarter and more stubborn than most girls I talk to. But I'm here for a little more than witty conversation." He moved his attention to the dance floor. "I actually need your help. You see, your friends are hot. And you, darling, are the Duff."
"Is that even a word?"
"Designated. Ugly. Fat. Friend," he clarified. "No offense, but that would be you."
"I am not the--!"
"Hey, don't get defensive. It's not like you're an ogre or anything, but in comparison..." He shrugged his broad shoulders. "Think about it. Why do they bring you here if you don't dance?" (pp. 5-6).
"Then I did a really fucked-up thing. My only excuse is that I was under an unbelievable amount of stress, and I spotted an outlet. I needed something to distract me--anything far away from my parents' drama--just for a second. And when I saw my chance I didn't stop to think about how much I'd regret it later. An opportunity sat on the bar stool beside me, and I lunged at it. Literally.
I kissed Wesley Rush" (p. 29).
"I looked at Jessica again, remembering how small and weak she'd seemed that day. Not cute. Not pretty. Just kind of pathetic. The Duff. Now she was beautiful. Voluptuous and adorable and...well, sexy. Any guy--except Harrison, unfortunately--would want her. But the strange thing was, she didn't look all that different. Not on the surface, at least. She'd been curvy and blond even then. So what had changed?
How could one of the most gorgeous girls I'd ever met have been the Duff? How did that logic even work? It was like Wesley calling me sexy and Duffy at the same time. It just didn't make sense.
Was it possible that you didn't have to be fat or ugly to be the Duff? I mean, Wesley had said, that night at the Nest, that Duff was a comparison. Did that mean even somewhat attractive girls could be Duffs?" (pp. 110-111).
Tasty Rating: !!!!!
277 pages.
Appetizer: Seventeen-year-old Bianca was sitting out during all of the dances at the club that her two best friends dragged her to when, Wesley, the hottest and sluttiest guy from school informs her that she is
Show More
the Duff (AKA the Designated Ugly Fat Friend) out of her trio of best friends. Bianca vows not to be bothered by Wesley's words, but after she learns that her mother won't be returning home anytime soon, she begins to worry that her father, a recovering alcoholic, might return to his worst habit, she finds herself in need of a distraction. That distraction comes in the form of using Wesley and by making out with him. Even though Bianca feels dirty after their encounter, soon enough she is repeatedly sleeping with him in secret.
For Bianca, being a secret is nothing new, the one boy she has ever loved kept her a secret as well. And now he's coming back into town with his fiancee. With all the parts of her life that are upsetting her, Bianca may not be able to leave Wesley's bed ever again.
The DUFF is getting a lot of rave reviews around the internets (and also as the occasional blogger acknowledges, some hate from the anal-judgey, pitchfork-wielding crowd on Amazon over the swearing and how far the multiple sex scenes push toward being explicit. But hey, anal-judges, some teens do have sex (and by "some" I mean most). For good and for bad reasons. So, it's nice to see a book that explores some of those motives. At least throughout the entire book, the characters are having SAFE sex. There are condoms EVERYWHERE!).
I found the book to be refreshing because it shares an experiences that are only occasionally explored separately and rarely bound together: Body image, self-esteem, class, name calling, the different ways guys and girls are perceived when they're promiscuous, parents getting divorced and being left with an alcoholic parent. There's even a brief tangent into discussing arguments in support of gay marriage. *wipes brow* It's a lot to take on.
But I absolutely loved Biana as a character. She felt very real. I loved how complex she was. Readers can relate to her because her concerns and worries are often their own. Then, towards the end of the book, there's even an opportunity for escapism when a love triangle rears its three giant heads.
I have to admit though, the ending did feel a wee bit abrupt. Very well-written, bringing together the lose ends (if not quite making a pretty bow), but still ABRUPT! Plus *very small vague spoiler* a female character randomly tripped at the end of the book to have a love interest pick her up. WHY?! WHY?! WHY?! Why are so many girls being portrayed as suddenly losing their ability to walk when a guy is near. I don't understand (but I do blame Bella Swan *shakes fist in Twilight's direction). Can't girls be coordinated AND get the guy? Internets, I am confused. Sure in freshman year, a mere week after I started dating my first boyfriend, I did almost walk into an electrical pole while talking to him and my friends. Okay, so it wasn't almost. I walked into the stupid electrical pole. But it was right beside the sidewalk. And there were too many of us walking together for us all to fit on said sidewalk. But even with walking into said giant, foot-wide pole, I did not fall! There was no hero necessary to pick up a would-be damsel in distress. The boyfriend laughed. I laughed too! Balance was maintained by all! Is it asking too much that girls in books get to stay on their feet too.
Also, whenever I do finish a romantic book or movie, I can't help but think about the couple as eventually becoming parents who must explain to their future-children how mommy and daddy met. Although Bianca makes it clear in the book that she is not "looking for a husband or whatever" (p. 243), I still couldn't help but worry for her and the tale she'd have to spin if it *did* work out.
Here's how I think her story would have to go as she sat down to tell her seven-year-old daughter how she and Daddy-Dear met: (MAJOR PLOT SPOILERS BELOW!)
Well Princess, Mommy hated daddy. He insulted her by saying she was her friends' "designated ugly fat friend." Then he nicknamed her Duffy for the next month to rub her face in it. And Mommy's skin crawled like icky bugs were on her whenever daddy got near. But after learning about grandpappy and grandmommy's divorce, Mommy freaked out and ended up kissing daddy. (Yay! *jazz hands*) And although the experience made Mommy feel icky all over for hours and hours after, Mommy later slept with daddy. Again and again. In fact, I'd say Mommy was addicted to having sex with him. But as our secret affair went on, Mommy slowly started to develop feelings for him and Mommy was jealous when Daddy flirted with other girls. Then! After Daddy saved Mommy from being abused by drunk Grandpappy, we truly connected. So, Mommy freaked out and dumped daddy and started dating the perfect, nerdy, gentlemanly guy that she'd had a crush on for aaaaaaall of high school. That was fun, but Mommy was still torn. And Mommy became aware of how she was putting herself at risk. And how she could have become pregnant. Because Mommy wasn't ready to have you yet, Babydoll. And so Mommy decided to be more careful about having sex in the future. And then Daddy sent her flowers! And that nice, gentlemanly boy figured out that Daddy and Mommy weren't over each other. So, he sent Mommy over to daddy. And then Mommy tripped. *Oh no!* But Daddy helped her back up and new what type of soda she preferred so we've been together ever since! Yay! Don't get addicted to running away, sex or alcohol. It runs in the family. Big kiss for Mommy! *Mwa* Sweet dreams, Buttercup.
That poor, traumatized, imaginary, future child.
PLOT SPOILERS HAVE ENDED! IT IS SAFE TO READ ONCE MORE!
I hope I didn't sound mean in that spoiler-tastic "what if" scenario. That wasn't my intention. Because I really enjoyed this book, the conclusions Bianca reaches about the people in her life. And not only does this book share an experience often overlooked in fiction, but it is well-written by an author who is still a teenager herself (she answers some fun questions about the book here). At eighteen or nineteen, there is no way I could have written such an enlightened and honest account of high school that was so fair to the secondary-characters as The Duff was. Major props to Kody Keplinger.
Dinner Conversation:
"This was getting old.
Once again, Casey and Jessica were making complete fools of themselves, shaking their asses like dancers in a rap video. But I guess guys eat that shit up, don't they? I could honestly feel my IQ dropping as I wondered, for the hundredth time that night, why I'd let them drag me here again" (p. 1).
"I've got to hand it to you; you're smarter and more stubborn than most girls I talk to. But I'm here for a little more than witty conversation." He moved his attention to the dance floor. "I actually need your help. You see, your friends are hot. And you, darling, are the Duff."
"Is that even a word?"
"Designated. Ugly. Fat. Friend," he clarified. "No offense, but that would be you."
"I am not the--!"
"Hey, don't get defensive. It's not like you're an ogre or anything, but in comparison..." He shrugged his broad shoulders. "Think about it. Why do they bring you here if you don't dance?" (pp. 5-6).
"Then I did a really fucked-up thing. My only excuse is that I was under an unbelievable amount of stress, and I spotted an outlet. I needed something to distract me--anything far away from my parents' drama--just for a second. And when I saw my chance I didn't stop to think about how much I'd regret it later. An opportunity sat on the bar stool beside me, and I lunged at it. Literally.
I kissed Wesley Rush" (p. 29).
"I looked at Jessica again, remembering how small and weak she'd seemed that day. Not cute. Not pretty. Just kind of pathetic. The Duff. Now she was beautiful. Voluptuous and adorable and...well, sexy. Any guy--except Harrison, unfortunately--would want her. But the strange thing was, she didn't look all that different. Not on the surface, at least. She'd been curvy and blond even then. So what had changed?
How could one of the most gorgeous girls I'd ever met have been the Duff? How did that logic even work? It was like Wesley calling me sexy and Duffy at the same time. It just didn't make sense.
Was it possible that you didn't have to be fat or ugly to be the Duff? I mean, Wesley had said, that night at the Nest, that Duff was a comparison. Did that mean even somewhat attractive girls could be Duffs?" (pp. 110-111).
Tasty Rating: !!!!!
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LibraryThing member Wombat
Lady Wombat says:
An impressive debut YA novel from an eighteen-year-old. I found the dialogue and teenage characters convincingly portrayed, the adult characters less so. Stylistically, the writing isn't that interesting (I usually have little problem with swearing in a YA novel, but here it feels
Though Bianca, the narrator, is called the DUFF (designated ugly fat friend), we never get a real sense whether the character is overweight, or simply not as foxy as her friends. Before I read it, I thought this might be a candidate for inclusion on the "Recommended Fat Acceptance Books" (see Horn Book Jan/Feb 2011, page 56, as well as Rebecca Rabinowitz's Live Journal posting about said article), but without knowing the answer to this question, I'd hesitate to place it with other fatpol titles.
An impressive debut YA novel from an eighteen-year-old. I found the dialogue and teenage characters convincingly portrayed, the adult characters less so. Stylistically, the writing isn't that interesting (I usually have little problem with swearing in a YA novel, but here it feels
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like laziness at times, an excuse for the author not to come up with more precise, evocative words in which to tell her story). The depiction of teenage sexuality is fresh and intriguing, particularly the author's healthy refusal to punish her sexually promiscuous characters. And the bitchy girl gets to have a boyfriend -- yeah!Though Bianca, the narrator, is called the DUFF (designated ugly fat friend), we never get a real sense whether the character is overweight, or simply not as foxy as her friends. Before I read it, I thought this might be a candidate for inclusion on the "Recommended Fat Acceptance Books" (see Horn Book Jan/Feb 2011, page 56, as well as Rebecca Rabinowitz's Live Journal posting about said article), but without knowing the answer to this question, I'd hesitate to place it with other fatpol titles.
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LibraryThing member lillybear
Let me preface this by voicing a sentiment that is not unfamiliar to YA readers: I am not big on Contemporary Fiction. I am much more of a fantasy, paranormal, supernatural girl. My heart lies therein. Always has, and I suspect that it always will. Not that I don't enjoy a good contemp every now
For the past couple of months The DUFF has been one of those books that seemed to follow me around wherever I went, nagging me to read it, latching itself into the back of my mind. We all have a few of those books in our lives, right? The book your real-life friends won't stop talking about, the one that seems to pop up on every single In My Mailbox post you come across, the one your goodreads friends have been sending you recommendations for non-stop. It seems to me like this book is everywhere. As crazy and egotistical as it sounds, it's like the universe has been conspiring to bring more awesome into my life in the form of one very persistent book. All I can say is well done, universe. Well done.
I adored this book from the very first page. Adored it, adored it, adored it. It was a frank and refreshing look into the lives of high schoolers that doesn't shy away from the hard topics like sex and alcohol. It felt so real. The characters came to life for me. They really leapt off the pages. They felt like people I could run into on the street outside. They are the kids I went to high school with and the people in my college classes now. Bianca is a wonderful, engaging narrator. She is clever, fierce, headstrong, wonderfully complex, and, if I'm being honest, a little bitchy. Her growth as a character was really well done, and I loved seeing her learn more about herself and finally face her own fears and problems. I have a tendency to run away from my problems and push them away without dealing with them just like Bianca did in the story (well, minus all of the mindless hate sex), so I felt a very real connection to her character.
One of the most annoying things that I tend to come across in YA books nowadays is dialogue that is stiff, unnatural, unrealistic, and just all around cringe-inducing. I'm always wary of that coming into books, especially those of the contemporary/realistic fiction genre. Dialogue problems are not limited to this genre by any means, but there's more pressure there to be realistic and get it right, I think. The DUFF had no problems delivering on this front. The banter was searing and funny and never once felt forced. There is swearing, too. Lots and lots of it. This doesn't bother me at all, but I realize that it will probably be an issue for quite a few people, so you have been warned. Along with the swearing there is also a bit of sex and other mature content and themes that might be a little much for younger YA readers. I do believe all of the themes explored are worthy of this exploration, of course, but I know many parents might disagree with me here. To each their own.
CONCLUSION:
Refreshing, sizzling, and unapologetically honest, this book is a must-read for lovers of the YA Contemporary Fiction genre and even for readers who are a bit pickier with their contemps (like I am). I couldn't put it down!
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and then, because I most certainly do. Overall, though, my experience with this genre hasn't been anything mind-blowing. That was before I read The DUFF. This book has made me a believer.For the past couple of months The DUFF has been one of those books that seemed to follow me around wherever I went, nagging me to read it, latching itself into the back of my mind. We all have a few of those books in our lives, right? The book your real-life friends won't stop talking about, the one that seems to pop up on every single In My Mailbox post you come across, the one your goodreads friends have been sending you recommendations for non-stop. It seems to me like this book is everywhere. As crazy and egotistical as it sounds, it's like the universe has been conspiring to bring more awesome into my life in the form of one very persistent book. All I can say is well done, universe. Well done.
I adored this book from the very first page. Adored it, adored it, adored it. It was a frank and refreshing look into the lives of high schoolers that doesn't shy away from the hard topics like sex and alcohol. It felt so real. The characters came to life for me. They really leapt off the pages. They felt like people I could run into on the street outside. They are the kids I went to high school with and the people in my college classes now. Bianca is a wonderful, engaging narrator. She is clever, fierce, headstrong, wonderfully complex, and, if I'm being honest, a little bitchy. Her growth as a character was really well done, and I loved seeing her learn more about herself and finally face her own fears and problems. I have a tendency to run away from my problems and push them away without dealing with them just like Bianca did in the story (well, minus all of the mindless hate sex), so I felt a very real connection to her character.
One of the most annoying things that I tend to come across in YA books nowadays is dialogue that is stiff, unnatural, unrealistic, and just all around cringe-inducing. I'm always wary of that coming into books, especially those of the contemporary/realistic fiction genre. Dialogue problems are not limited to this genre by any means, but there's more pressure there to be realistic and get it right, I think. The DUFF had no problems delivering on this front. The banter was searing and funny and never once felt forced. There is swearing, too. Lots and lots of it. This doesn't bother me at all, but I realize that it will probably be an issue for quite a few people, so you have been warned. Along with the swearing there is also a bit of sex and other mature content and themes that might be a little much for younger YA readers. I do believe all of the themes explored are worthy of this exploration, of course, but I know many parents might disagree with me here. To each their own.
CONCLUSION:
Refreshing, sizzling, and unapologetically honest, this book is a must-read for lovers of the YA Contemporary Fiction genre and even for readers who are a bit pickier with their contemps (like I am). I couldn't put it down!
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LibraryThing member bluesalamanders
Bianca is hanging out at a club her friends love and she hates when Wesley, another student at their school, sits next to her. He explains that he wants to hook up with one of her friends, so he decided to ingratiate himself with her, their DUFF - designated ugly fat friend.
I pretty much hated
The last 50 or so pages started to become more interesting, with some character development, growth, depth - and then the typical romantic comedy ending. Ugh.
I pretty much hated
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about eighty percent of this book. It was like watching a bad romantic comedy. Wesley was a jerk, Bianca lacked self-control (which was either because she's supposedly fat or because her dad was an alcoholic or both), her friends were clueless, and the rest of the cast were cardboard cutouts.The last 50 or so pages started to become more interesting, with some character development, growth, depth - and then the typical romantic comedy ending. Ugh.
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LibraryThing member katiedoll
The DUFF is a book that every teenage girl, or any female with self-esteem issues, should read immediately. With a character who is extremely relatable and insecurities to match, I feel like it’s good medicine for those who don’t believe that they’re beautiful just the way they are.
First off
I love how real Bianca is. Some people would call her constant self-deprecating thoughts and comments immature and unnecessary, but you know what? Bianca IS immature. She’s a teenager. She’s real. And most teenagers can be immature. At least. that’s how I acted when I was a teenager. It’s not enough for somebody to just say “you’re beautiful, stop being down on yourself.” It doesn’t work like that. And Kody captures Bianca’s journey of constantly bashing herself to finally being content in her own skin flawlessly. I applaud you, Kody.
Other than the obvious issues of sex and self-esteem, The DUFF is highly entertaining. It’s comical and flirty and it’s the only book that I’ve read that has a slutty albeit secretly emotional male character. Boys like Wesley did not exist in my high school, but for this book, I pretended that they did. Wesley’s character was a perfect aide in Bianca’s quest for happiness.
Overall, I really enjoyed The DUFF. I feel like it’s an important book for all girls out there. We’ve all felt out of place and unhappy in our skin, but this book reminds us that physical beauty isn’t the only thing that matters. I definitely recommend it to everyone!
First off
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.. whoa. The bubble-gum popping girl on the cover gives a hint of innocence, but what lies between the spine of this book is anything but. And I am not complaining one bit. Kody Keplinger writes some edgy, intimate scenes that I’m so glad she got away with. The protagonist, Bianca, escapes her problems with sex, so obviously, the heat is turned way up. It was different, refreshing and hot all at the same time.I love how real Bianca is. Some people would call her constant self-deprecating thoughts and comments immature and unnecessary, but you know what? Bianca IS immature. She’s a teenager. She’s real. And most teenagers can be immature. At least. that’s how I acted when I was a teenager. It’s not enough for somebody to just say “you’re beautiful, stop being down on yourself.” It doesn’t work like that. And Kody captures Bianca’s journey of constantly bashing herself to finally being content in her own skin flawlessly. I applaud you, Kody.
Other than the obvious issues of sex and self-esteem, The DUFF is highly entertaining. It’s comical and flirty and it’s the only book that I’ve read that has a slutty albeit secretly emotional male character. Boys like Wesley did not exist in my high school, but for this book, I pretended that they did. Wesley’s character was a perfect aide in Bianca’s quest for happiness.
Overall, I really enjoyed The DUFF. I feel like it’s an important book for all girls out there. We’ve all felt out of place and unhappy in our skin, but this book reminds us that physical beauty isn’t the only thing that matters. I definitely recommend it to everyone!
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LibraryThing member angelgirl122193
I absolutely LOVED The Duff. All of the characters are enjoyable and Bianca had such an incredibly enchanting voice. I dreaded the moments that I had to put The Duff down because I was so immersed in this book.
I loved Bianca. She was not afraid to say what was on her mind. Her sarcasm and cynicism
Wesley was definitely swoon worthy. Even with his negative comments to Bianca, he manages to make them sound flirtatious, not insulting. When Bianca really got to know him, she found out that he wasn't so bad after all and really started falling for him. While Wesley sure had his share of faults, he really was a great guy for Bianca. The letters that he sent her towards the end gave me butterflies and made me fall even more in love with him.
The Duff was such an incredibly amazing story and I enjoyed ever moment of it. This will be one of the few books that I will re-read in the future, it is that good. The end of The Duff was wrapped up nicely, but I wish there was more in store for Bianca and Wesley. They are so real and relatable. If you haven't already gotten a copy of The Duff yet, I suggest putting it on your wishlist. You won't be disappointed!
I loved Bianca. She was not afraid to say what was on her mind. Her sarcasm and cynicism
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made her even more likable. When Wesley appoints her with the name, the Duff, it really hits her how inadequate she feels next to her friends. I know that probably all girls out there have felt like a Duff at one point or another, and can really understand Bianca's feelings. Her situation at home is so heartbreaking and I really felt for what she had to go through. She escapes her problems by getting with Wesley, which just makes her feel guilty. She eventually comes to really appreciate Wesley and finds that they both have problems. I loved the bantering between Bianca and him! The sparks fly whenever they have it out with each other and it is incredibly entertaining. They could be fighting and arguing one minute, then hot and heavy the next.Wesley was definitely swoon worthy. Even with his negative comments to Bianca, he manages to make them sound flirtatious, not insulting. When Bianca really got to know him, she found out that he wasn't so bad after all and really started falling for him. While Wesley sure had his share of faults, he really was a great guy for Bianca. The letters that he sent her towards the end gave me butterflies and made me fall even more in love with him.
The Duff was such an incredibly amazing story and I enjoyed ever moment of it. This will be one of the few books that I will re-read in the future, it is that good. The end of The Duff was wrapped up nicely, but I wish there was more in store for Bianca and Wesley. They are so real and relatable. If you haven't already gotten a copy of The Duff yet, I suggest putting it on your wishlist. You won't be disappointed!
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LibraryThing member thehidingspot
I'll admit that I didn't want to read The DUFF. Not one little bit. I kept hearing people talk about it and how excited they were and I just wanted to run in the opposite direction. The fact of the matter was, I didn't want to read a book about a "designated ugly fat friend," not when I felt like
There were so many aspects of this novel that touched me emotionally. It feels cheesy to say that The DUFF inspired me, but there really is no other way to put it. As far back as elementary school, I've felt like the DUFF. Of course, I knew that my friends, who I think are gorgeous, intelligent girls, didn't like things about themselves, but, for the most part, I dismissed their complaints and insecurities. In my mind, they had nothing to complain about... at least not compared to me. I knew that my insecurities were magnified by my negative body image and self-esteem issues, but I could never truly bring myself to turn this self-destructive behavior around. Somehow, Keplinger's words and Bianca's story finally allowed me do this. For years, I've been putting myself down by comparing myself to my friends, when, in reality, we have all have flaws and characteristics that make us amazing and unique. Seeing how Bianca puts herself down, when the reader can clearly see that she's an amazing, vibrant person with so much to offer, really drove this truth about myself home. I truly believe that every girl, and many boys. have felt like or will feel like the DUFF at some point in their lives, and I applaud Kody Keplinger for having the guts - and the wisdom - to write Bianca's story because it's a story everyone can relate to.
I was surprised, but unbelievably happy to find that Keplinger tackles teen sex in The DUFF. Her treatment of the controversial topic is honest and, in my opinion, perfectly done. I can sincerely say that I have never read a sex scene in a YA novel that I believed as much as those found in The DUFF. I didn't feel that Keplinger condoned or discouraged teen sex, she merely presented a realistic portrayal, and, for that, I'm extremely grateful. I have no problem with sex in YA, but I firmly believe that if it's going to be incorporated, it must be done with tact. In my mind, Keplinger has written successfully what many seasoned writers cannot.
It was the romantic plot line that finally convinced me to pick up The DUFF. I can never resist a good love story and Keplinger did a phenomenal job. I find that I like my main character and her romantic interest to bicker and fight and sometimes flat our hate one another before they realize that, against all odds, that hate may have transformed into love - with some passion in between. I'm a huge fan of tension and denial and grand gestures and Keplinger's romance left me sighing happily. I'm especially impressed by the author's ability to nearly make me hate Wesley as much as Bianca does (at the beginning of the novel) and still have me completely in love with him by the end. I was terrified that he was just as bad as Bianca thought he was. And, in ways, I suppose he was. He was definitely flawed, he is, after all, a teenage boy, but he has so many wonderful qualities as well. Bianca and Wesley's romance is will and forever be one of my favorites.
I'll definitely be buying myself a copy of The DUFF. And I'll definitely be recommending [forcing] my sisters and friends to read it as well. I'm in awe of this remarkable debut novel and I urge each and every one of you to read it, especially if you can say that you've ever felt like the a DUFF.
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one myself. I suppose you could say that I was a bit afraid of Kody Keplinger's debut novel. I can now say that I would have been kicking myself forever if I hadn't given this novel a chance. Before I'd even finished reading, I realized that The DUFF is one the best contemporary YA novels I've ever read and that I may never be able to get it out of my head. There were so many aspects of this novel that touched me emotionally. It feels cheesy to say that The DUFF inspired me, but there really is no other way to put it. As far back as elementary school, I've felt like the DUFF. Of course, I knew that my friends, who I think are gorgeous, intelligent girls, didn't like things about themselves, but, for the most part, I dismissed their complaints and insecurities. In my mind, they had nothing to complain about... at least not compared to me. I knew that my insecurities were magnified by my negative body image and self-esteem issues, but I could never truly bring myself to turn this self-destructive behavior around. Somehow, Keplinger's words and Bianca's story finally allowed me do this. For years, I've been putting myself down by comparing myself to my friends, when, in reality, we have all have flaws and characteristics that make us amazing and unique. Seeing how Bianca puts herself down, when the reader can clearly see that she's an amazing, vibrant person with so much to offer, really drove this truth about myself home. I truly believe that every girl, and many boys. have felt like or will feel like the DUFF at some point in their lives, and I applaud Kody Keplinger for having the guts - and the wisdom - to write Bianca's story because it's a story everyone can relate to.
I was surprised, but unbelievably happy to find that Keplinger tackles teen sex in The DUFF. Her treatment of the controversial topic is honest and, in my opinion, perfectly done. I can sincerely say that I have never read a sex scene in a YA novel that I believed as much as those found in The DUFF. I didn't feel that Keplinger condoned or discouraged teen sex, she merely presented a realistic portrayal, and, for that, I'm extremely grateful. I have no problem with sex in YA, but I firmly believe that if it's going to be incorporated, it must be done with tact. In my mind, Keplinger has written successfully what many seasoned writers cannot.
It was the romantic plot line that finally convinced me to pick up The DUFF. I can never resist a good love story and Keplinger did a phenomenal job. I find that I like my main character and her romantic interest to bicker and fight and sometimes flat our hate one another before they realize that, against all odds, that hate may have transformed into love - with some passion in between. I'm a huge fan of tension and denial and grand gestures and Keplinger's romance left me sighing happily. I'm especially impressed by the author's ability to nearly make me hate Wesley as much as Bianca does (at the beginning of the novel) and still have me completely in love with him by the end. I was terrified that he was just as bad as Bianca thought he was. And, in ways, I suppose he was. He was definitely flawed, he is, after all, a teenage boy, but he has so many wonderful qualities as well. Bianca and Wesley's romance is will and forever be one of my favorites.
I'll definitely be buying myself a copy of The DUFF. And I'll definitely be recommending [forcing] my sisters and friends to read it as well. I'm in awe of this remarkable debut novel and I urge each and every one of you to read it, especially if you can say that you've ever felt like the a DUFF.
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LibraryThing member _Lily_
The Duff by Kody Keplinger
Reviewed by Moirae the fates book reviews
Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In
But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.
Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone. (Synopsis provided by goodreads)
This is a 2010 debut. I thought the premise of this book was interesting. However, I am not sure what I think about Bianca. I know it sounds strange. It was a very well written book. The characters seemed very real and believable. Bianca has a lot of problems at home and the way Kepler brings it across makes the reader feel bad for Bianca as well as for Wesley.
This book is a very fast read and it does have a good message I think at the heart of it. The dialogue is strong and the interaction between the characters is good. I enjoyed Bianca’s wit and her give-the-world-the-finger attitude on most things.
I have noticed that this seems to be a love it or hate it book for most people. I didn’t love or hate it personally. I liked it, but I wish I could have loved it. For me, there was something almost lacking, not sure I can’t quite put my finger on it. I would read another book by Keplinger and I would encourage others to give this book a shot.
Over all rating
*** 3 out of 5 stars
Cover art
I didn’t like the cover art very much, I didn’t think it went along with the book somehow.
What parents need to know
There is a lot of sex in this book, though it is not graphic.
Reviewed by Moirae the fates book reviews
Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In
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fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.
Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone. (Synopsis provided by goodreads)
This is a 2010 debut. I thought the premise of this book was interesting. However, I am not sure what I think about Bianca. I know it sounds strange. It was a very well written book. The characters seemed very real and believable. Bianca has a lot of problems at home and the way Kepler brings it across makes the reader feel bad for Bianca as well as for Wesley.
This book is a very fast read and it does have a good message I think at the heart of it. The dialogue is strong and the interaction between the characters is good. I enjoyed Bianca’s wit and her give-the-world-the-finger attitude on most things.
I have noticed that this seems to be a love it or hate it book for most people. I didn’t love or hate it personally. I liked it, but I wish I could have loved it. For me, there was something almost lacking, not sure I can’t quite put my finger on it. I would read another book by Keplinger and I would encourage others to give this book a shot.
Over all rating
*** 3 out of 5 stars
Cover art
I didn’t like the cover art very much, I didn’t think it went along with the book somehow.
What parents need to know
There is a lot of sex in this book, though it is not graphic.
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LibraryThing member lisagibson
I LOVE this book! I can so relate to being the Duff. In reading this, we come to learn that we all feel like the Duff at one time or another. The concept of a Duff reminds me very much of a partially written novel that I have going on right now as well. Bianca is smart, tough, and sassy. She has
Note: This book has a lot of swearing and a lot of sex! I would say about 17 and up.
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spent too long guarding her heart to just hand it over to a slimey womanizer. She’s got great friends that support her and look out for her. Remember that one guy in high school, the one you knew was not the nicest guy, but you just couldn’t help yourself being totally drawn in to him. Yeah, well Wesley is THAT guy. On the surface he’s not a good guy. But things are rarely only surface deep. While reading this book, I kept thinking of a saying I’m a big fan of, “No matter where you go, there you are.” In other words, avoiding, running from, or otherwise not dealing with things, doesn’t make them go away. Note: This book has a lot of swearing and a lot of sex! I would say about 17 and up.
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LibraryThing member HeatherLeah
This book received a lot of great reviews so I was excited to read it but it really let me down. Out of her two friends Bianca knows she isn't as pretty as them, but when Wesley names her the DUFF it gives her another reason to hate him. When things start getting worse at home Bianca ends up
To me this book is both good and bad. I think a lot of teenage girls will be able to relate with this book which is good, however one bad part is the foul language used. Now I know teenagers curse because I did when I was one and on a blue moon you might hear one slip from my mouth, but I don't enjoy reading books that have them in there. It's just one my pet peeves. I believe a book, song, movie, etc. does not have to have curse words in them in order to be great. Another reason that I did not like the book was the adult content. Yes, I am an adult and sometimes I do read books with adult content but they are adult books and not YA. Again, yes I know sex happens in high school and they talk about it but that doesn't mean it should be in YA books. Ok, enough ranting from me...
**Parents I suggest you read this book first to decide if your kid(s) are mature enough to handle it.
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kissing Wesley, and to her surprise likes it. Next thing she knows she is actually starting to like the guy that labeled her as the DUFF. To me this book is both good and bad. I think a lot of teenage girls will be able to relate with this book which is good, however one bad part is the foul language used. Now I know teenagers curse because I did when I was one and on a blue moon you might hear one slip from my mouth, but I don't enjoy reading books that have them in there. It's just one my pet peeves. I believe a book, song, movie, etc. does not have to have curse words in them in order to be great. Another reason that I did not like the book was the adult content. Yes, I am an adult and sometimes I do read books with adult content but they are adult books and not YA. Again, yes I know sex happens in high school and they talk about it but that doesn't mean it should be in YA books. Ok, enough ranting from me...
**Parents I suggest you read this book first to decide if your kid(s) are mature enough to handle it.
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LibraryThing member khager
Bianca is sarcastic and bitchy, but she's an excellent friend. So excellent, in fact, that she lets her two best friends drag her to the local under-21 club at least once a week so that she can watch them have a great time and make sure they don't do something stupid. For the purposes of this
And then one night, he talks to her at the club. He tells her that he likes her friends and has determined that the best way to hook up with them is to let them see him talking to her, because she's their DUFF. (DUFF = Designated Ugly Fat Friend.)
Bianca throws her drink in his face.
Except things in her life are kind of crappy (her mom's been out of town for ages and her dad's depressed about it). And so she ends up kissing Wesley. And then she ends up hooking up with Wesley.
I absolutely adored this (all too short, unfortunately) book. Bianca is the kind of girl I'd want my daughter to be (if I had a daughter). She's smart and funny and a good friend, plus she's a Democrat and ultimately secure with herself and her body.
There's a lot of sex in this book (well, maybe not a LOT, but it's there), which might cause some people to be a little nervous. But on the plus side it's all safe sex. So there's that. :)
And I think what I liked most about the book (besides Bianca and her unexpected love story) is the moral that pretty much every girl is insecure and that even Bianca's hot friends feel like they're unattactive. I wish that went away as we got older.
Smart, fun book with an incredibly awesome, kickass heroine. Recommended.
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discussion, something stupid = sleeping with Wesley, the hottest guy in school. (He's also kind of a jerk.)And then one night, he talks to her at the club. He tells her that he likes her friends and has determined that the best way to hook up with them is to let them see him talking to her, because she's their DUFF. (DUFF = Designated Ugly Fat Friend.)
Bianca throws her drink in his face.
Except things in her life are kind of crappy (her mom's been out of town for ages and her dad's depressed about it). And so she ends up kissing Wesley. And then she ends up hooking up with Wesley.
I absolutely adored this (all too short, unfortunately) book. Bianca is the kind of girl I'd want my daughter to be (if I had a daughter). She's smart and funny and a good friend, plus she's a Democrat and ultimately secure with herself and her body.
There's a lot of sex in this book (well, maybe not a LOT, but it's there), which might cause some people to be a little nervous. But on the plus side it's all safe sex. So there's that. :)
And I think what I liked most about the book (besides Bianca and her unexpected love story) is the moral that pretty much every girl is insecure and that even Bianca's hot friends feel like they're unattactive. I wish that went away as we got older.
Smart, fun book with an incredibly awesome, kickass heroine. Recommended.
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LibraryThing member booksandwine
The premise of The Duff by Kody Keplinger is that Bianca is the DUFF of her circle of friends according to Wesley, this guy she meets in a teen club. DUFF meaning designated ugly fat friend. Interwoven throughout the novel are issues Bianca must deal with such as self-esteem, weight, alcoholism,
I didn't like the writing style at first. Mainly because an action would occur, then it would be explained. I.e. Bianca stabbed Wesley with a pen. She was angry. She was enraged. Perhaps my tastes have evolved, so this is not really my sort of thing. Maybe, I just prefer to be trusted to understand what is going on.
Unfortunately, Bianca spends much of the book pissed off. She's jealous of skinny girls. If she sees a certain guy talking to a skinny girl, I noticed she'd call the girl names. Then she wants to 'kill' Wesley. Then she's pissed at her mom. She's very hot and cold which does irritate me. I guess I'm past those teenage hormones.
However, certain elements trumped my distaste. I emotionally connected with this book. I read this on the bus back from BEA and I had to dart my eyes around to make sure no one could see me getting misty-eyed. I'll admit, certain scenes felt real and like such, were an emotional punch in the gut.
I loved that despite the sexual choices Bianca made, there was no slut shaming. She was never punished for getting her love on. Rather, it was a conscious decision and she seemed quite in control of her actions.
Clearly, this is upper YA as there are lots and lots of swears and sexying. I didn't love it, but maybe you will
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and expression of sexuality.I didn't like the writing style at first. Mainly because an action would occur, then it would be explained. I.e. Bianca stabbed Wesley with a pen. She was angry. She was enraged. Perhaps my tastes have evolved, so this is not really my sort of thing. Maybe, I just prefer to be trusted to understand what is going on.
Unfortunately, Bianca spends much of the book pissed off. She's jealous of skinny girls. If she sees a certain guy talking to a skinny girl, I noticed she'd call the girl names. Then she wants to 'kill' Wesley. Then she's pissed at her mom. She's very hot and cold which does irritate me. I guess I'm past those teenage hormones.
However, certain elements trumped my distaste. I emotionally connected with this book. I read this on the bus back from BEA and I had to dart my eyes around to make sure no one could see me getting misty-eyed. I'll admit, certain scenes felt real and like such, were an emotional punch in the gut.
I loved that despite the sexual choices Bianca made, there was no slut shaming. She was never punished for getting her love on. Rather, it was a conscious decision and she seemed quite in control of her actions.
Clearly, this is upper YA as there are lots and lots of swears and sexying. I didn't love it, but maybe you will
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LibraryThing member lawral
I started this book ready to be disappointed. There's been so much hype, and not all of it good, that I didn't think The Duff could possibly live up to it. Then I opened it and found a pessimistic, foul-mouthed main character that I didn't think I'd grow to care about. I brought an extra book with
Bianca's relationship with Wesley is clearly complicated, though she tries to play it off as the simplest thing ever: just sex. Wesley seems okay with this arrangement and helps Bianca keep up appearances at school and everywhere else for a while. They hate each other. He's a man-slut, womanizing, cocky little brat, representing everything that Bianca, a smart and confident young woman, despises. And he calls her "Duffy," constantly reminding her that he's way out of her league and that their relationship could never go public. For the most part, they maintain a snarky banter both in and out of the bedroom (it's very 10 Things I Hate About You). Until they don't. Bianca is having some very real problems at home that she's avoiding by spending all of her time with Wesley. She can ignore things when she's with him; her friends will want to help and make her talk about it. Wesley just asks her if she's okay and then listens; he doesn't push. Maybe this is because he doesn't actually care (likely in Bianca's opinion) or maybe, as she comes to figure out, it's because he has real problems that he doesn't want to talk about either.
Other reviewers have said that the relationships between Bianca and her friends is what "saved" this book for them. Their friendship is sweet, fierce and awesome. They build each other up with nary an insult. Bianca ditches her friends for Wesley and doesn't even tell them about him. I think this happens a lot (it certainly did when I was in college), and to see it portrayed here was great. Bianca's friends are both pissed and worried, and both those sentiments are clearly expressed. No one is one-dimensional. When Bianca finally spills all to her friends, they (mostly) forgive her. Casey decides to make the word duff theirs. Instead of having a fat day or a bad hair day or even a zit, they say it's their turn to be the Duff. Though the word catches Bianca off guard throughout the book, it loses it's power to make her feel ugly and fat, exactly what the word is supposed to imply.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It's all about relationships, between Bianca and her friends, Bianca and her parents, Bianca and Wesley, but it's not weighed down by emotional drama. Sure, there are really emotionally draining parts of this book, especially when it comes to Bianca and her parents, but they are tempered by sarcasm, sex, and Bianca's own personality.
Book source: ARC provided by the publisher.
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me to read on my commute so that i could put this one down as soon as I'd read the obligatory 50 pages (this is my personal rule for books sent to me for review). Next thing I know, I'd almost missed my train stop because I was so sucked in. Bianca's relationship with Wesley is clearly complicated, though she tries to play it off as the simplest thing ever: just sex. Wesley seems okay with this arrangement and helps Bianca keep up appearances at school and everywhere else for a while. They hate each other. He's a man-slut, womanizing, cocky little brat, representing everything that Bianca, a smart and confident young woman, despises. And he calls her "Duffy," constantly reminding her that he's way out of her league and that their relationship could never go public. For the most part, they maintain a snarky banter both in and out of the bedroom (it's very 10 Things I Hate About You). Until they don't. Bianca is having some very real problems at home that she's avoiding by spending all of her time with Wesley. She can ignore things when she's with him; her friends will want to help and make her talk about it. Wesley just asks her if she's okay and then listens; he doesn't push. Maybe this is because he doesn't actually care (likely in Bianca's opinion) or maybe, as she comes to figure out, it's because he has real problems that he doesn't want to talk about either.
Other reviewers have said that the relationships between Bianca and her friends is what "saved" this book for them. Their friendship is sweet, fierce and awesome. They build each other up with nary an insult. Bianca ditches her friends for Wesley and doesn't even tell them about him. I think this happens a lot (it certainly did when I was in college), and to see it portrayed here was great. Bianca's friends are both pissed and worried, and both those sentiments are clearly expressed. No one is one-dimensional. When Bianca finally spills all to her friends, they (mostly) forgive her. Casey decides to make the word duff theirs. Instead of having a fat day or a bad hair day or even a zit, they say it's their turn to be the Duff. Though the word catches Bianca off guard throughout the book, it loses it's power to make her feel ugly and fat, exactly what the word is supposed to imply.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It's all about relationships, between Bianca and her friends, Bianca and her parents, Bianca and Wesley, but it's not weighed down by emotional drama. Sure, there are really emotionally draining parts of this book, especially when it comes to Bianca and her parents, but they are tempered by sarcasm, sex, and Bianca's own personality.
Book source: ARC provided by the publisher.
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LibraryThing member noahsmae
This is a bold book. The author pushed the limits of what you typically see in YA literature. There was a great deal of potential in this book and it could have been wonderful if the characters had a bit more depth. I applaud the author, though, for her bravery in addressing issues related to sex
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LibraryThing member brandileigh2003
I relate to this book so much as I am sure that many if not all girls can. It deals with being the designated ugly fat friend, and I know that I often feel out of place, not right in my own skin, wonder why people hang out with me, and think that my looks are inferior to my friends.
Bianca's
Spoiler paragraph-- This book should only be for older teens, because she does use sex as an escape. It is not overly explicit, but there are sexual situations, and even though B realizes what she is doing is wrong and inappropriate- and makes the decision in the end to slow things down, it still happens. There is also some curse words- it does not distract from the story, but also disclaimer. There is also an instance of domestic violence but it is not a continued thing and the involved party gets help. This looks at some of the gritty parts of being a teenager, but does not glorify it, and explores reasons, reactions, emotions, guilt, etc.
Her friends are amazing, and I have a few like that-- who will tell me like it is, who know my moods, and who are there. They are the best kind! There is also a love triangle, one of course is the bad-boy, bad a**, womanizer with the soft side and the hidden fears and insecurities- Wesley. The other is a perfect gentlemen, but a nerd-Toby. (Not judging- my hubby is a nerd, but Wesley (types) makes me melt in ways Toby can't begin to... but can't say any more without spoiling).
And to think that I almost dismissed this book without even reading the synopsis because I thought it was about or written by Hilary Duff. Yes, you can laugh and point now :)
On a more serious note, some of the revelations that B comes to made me almost shiver. It conveys a rough image to start, but she realizes some fundamental truths, and she has an important message to get across. I really enjoyed this one!
Bianca's
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character could pretty much be me, pessimistic, sarcastic but funny in that dry quirky way, loyal, insecure, smart, too trusting at times, not trusting enough others. It was a breeze to be in her head, and to understand her feelings and reactions. Her family life is going through a rough patch and she is looking for an escape- and finds it in the jerk- hot jerk nonetheless- Wesley. But what happens if she develops feelings that she feels will never be returned? (I have been there too)Spoiler paragraph-- This book should only be for older teens, because she does use sex as an escape. It is not overly explicit, but there are sexual situations, and even though B realizes what she is doing is wrong and inappropriate- and makes the decision in the end to slow things down, it still happens. There is also some curse words- it does not distract from the story, but also disclaimer. There is also an instance of domestic violence but it is not a continued thing and the involved party gets help. This looks at some of the gritty parts of being a teenager, but does not glorify it, and explores reasons, reactions, emotions, guilt, etc.
Her friends are amazing, and I have a few like that-- who will tell me like it is, who know my moods, and who are there. They are the best kind! There is also a love triangle, one of course is the bad-boy, bad a**, womanizer with the soft side and the hidden fears and insecurities- Wesley. The other is a perfect gentlemen, but a nerd-Toby. (Not judging- my hubby is a nerd, but Wesley (types) makes me melt in ways Toby can't begin to... but can't say any more without spoiling).
And to think that I almost dismissed this book without even reading the synopsis because I thought it was about or written by Hilary Duff. Yes, you can laugh and point now :)
On a more serious note, some of the revelations that B comes to made me almost shiver. It conveys a rough image to start, but she realizes some fundamental truths, and she has an important message to get across. I really enjoyed this one!
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LibraryThing member marcelrochester
Stop trying to make fetch happen; stop being dumbly obsessed w/Gossip Girl.
Mildly offensive with its treatment of certain people. Unlikable protagonist who unfortunately is the only character who feels somewhat real. The writing is breezy and readable though.
Mildly offensive with its treatment of certain people. Unlikable protagonist who unfortunately is the only character who feels somewhat real. The writing is breezy and readable though.
LibraryThing member mrsderaps
At some point after starting Kody Keplinger's The DUFF, I paused my reading to find out who in the world had written this book. Why? Because it felt as though I were eavesdropping on a some of my students talking about their weekend plans. Is this bad? No. The dialogue and narration were so
Which makes sense, right? Who else but an 18 year old know how teens sound and think and feel? Still, though, it takes a serious talent (at any age) to know what people of a certain age are like and then translate that into believable characters and an interesting plot. That's just what this book has in spades.
The main character of The DUFF, Bianca, is instantly believable and likable. She is a little awkward physically, but shard as a knife in terms of wit and intelligence. The book opens with a crabby and bored Bianca watching her gorgeous best friends gyrate in a club, wishing that she could just make a getaway. But, her super hot best friends love to party and flirt, so Bianca stays.
Enter smokin' hot player-boy Wesley Rush. His first act on the scene is to tell Bianca, who's not really a close friend, but who is in the same social circle, that she is a DUFF. A Designated Ugly Fat Friend. How does Bianca react? She throws her glass of Cherry Coke right in his face. And she finally gets to leave the club.
But Wesley's comment stays with her. No matter how she tries to forget what Wesley thinks of her, she cannot. Why? Because she thinks he's right.
And circumstances in Bianca's life are not perfect. Her mother is absent, her father is unable to face the fact that his marriage is crumbling, and Bianca doesn't feel as though she has a chance with her crush or any other boy. She was heart-broken as a freshman and that rejection still stings years later. Bianca's a bit of a mess, but she's real and entertaining and I love her.
I could not put this book down and laughed out loud several times. The ending is a tad rushed, but this is easily forgiven. The quality of the writing and the intensity of this book are superb. I can't wait to read whatever else Ms. Keplinger writes. At 18, she has a long future as an amazing author ahead of her!
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realistic, so convincing that I knew that someone of great talent had written this novel. And, it turns out that this person is Kody Keplinger and that she is 18 years old.Which makes sense, right? Who else but an 18 year old know how teens sound and think and feel? Still, though, it takes a serious talent (at any age) to know what people of a certain age are like and then translate that into believable characters and an interesting plot. That's just what this book has in spades.
The main character of The DUFF, Bianca, is instantly believable and likable. She is a little awkward physically, but shard as a knife in terms of wit and intelligence. The book opens with a crabby and bored Bianca watching her gorgeous best friends gyrate in a club, wishing that she could just make a getaway. But, her super hot best friends love to party and flirt, so Bianca stays.
Enter smokin' hot player-boy Wesley Rush. His first act on the scene is to tell Bianca, who's not really a close friend, but who is in the same social circle, that she is a DUFF. A Designated Ugly Fat Friend. How does Bianca react? She throws her glass of Cherry Coke right in his face. And she finally gets to leave the club.
But Wesley's comment stays with her. No matter how she tries to forget what Wesley thinks of her, she cannot. Why? Because she thinks he's right.
And circumstances in Bianca's life are not perfect. Her mother is absent, her father is unable to face the fact that his marriage is crumbling, and Bianca doesn't feel as though she has a chance with her crush or any other boy. She was heart-broken as a freshman and that rejection still stings years later. Bianca's a bit of a mess, but she's real and entertaining and I love her.
I could not put this book down and laughed out loud several times. The ending is a tad rushed, but this is easily forgiven. The quality of the writing and the intensity of this book are superb. I can't wait to read whatever else Ms. Keplinger writes. At 18, she has a long future as an amazing author ahead of her!
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LibraryThing member readingdate
The DUFF by teen debut author Kody Keplinger is a raw and realistic look at high school life. It is a refreshing and fast paced read that is very relatable. The DUFF reminded me of a Judy Blume or Laurie Halse Anderson type book with it’s accurate portrayal of teens. Haven’t we all felt like
High school senior Bianca Piper feels like the Duff. Bianca’s life is not perfect. Her parents are getting divorced, but they love and care about her. Bianca has two supportive best friends, but she does not feel like the pretty girl in the group. She is a unique protagonist that is witty, cynical and sarcastic. When the three friends go out, Bianca hangs back sipping a cherry coke while her friends are dancing. One night she is approached by school man-whore Wesley Rush who wants to befriend “The Duff” to get closer to Bianca’s friends. She is horrified to hear herself described this way and throws her drink at him.
The novel follows Bianca as she takes Wesley’s words to heart and struggles with her home life and self esteem. Paired with Wesley on a school project, Bianca begins to use Wesley as a sexual distraction from her troubles.
The DUFF is a refreshing and original story about friendship, family, self-esteem, and love. The voice of Bianca feels very fresh and real and I think a lot of teens will be able to relate to her. Once I picked up this book I was hooked and read through it in one sitting. The story is well written with interesting characters that kept my interest throughout. Like Bianca, I did not expect to fall for wealthy, sleazy Wesley but he won me over. Bianca’s friendships and family life drew me in with their authenticity as well. Recommended for older teens due to the mature sexual situations.
The DUFF is worthy of the hype and is an enjoyable read. The cover fits the book perfectly as well. I read that movie rights were optioned for The DUFF and I’m curious to see if that will happen. Looking forward to reading more from Ms. Keplinger.
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the Duff (designated ugly fat friend) at one time in our life?High school senior Bianca Piper feels like the Duff. Bianca’s life is not perfect. Her parents are getting divorced, but they love and care about her. Bianca has two supportive best friends, but she does not feel like the pretty girl in the group. She is a unique protagonist that is witty, cynical and sarcastic. When the three friends go out, Bianca hangs back sipping a cherry coke while her friends are dancing. One night she is approached by school man-whore Wesley Rush who wants to befriend “The Duff” to get closer to Bianca’s friends. She is horrified to hear herself described this way and throws her drink at him.
The novel follows Bianca as she takes Wesley’s words to heart and struggles with her home life and self esteem. Paired with Wesley on a school project, Bianca begins to use Wesley as a sexual distraction from her troubles.
The DUFF is a refreshing and original story about friendship, family, self-esteem, and love. The voice of Bianca feels very fresh and real and I think a lot of teens will be able to relate to her. Once I picked up this book I was hooked and read through it in one sitting. The story is well written with interesting characters that kept my interest throughout. Like Bianca, I did not expect to fall for wealthy, sleazy Wesley but he won me over. Bianca’s friendships and family life drew me in with their authenticity as well. Recommended for older teens due to the mature sexual situations.
The DUFF is worthy of the hype and is an enjoyable read. The cover fits the book perfectly as well. I read that movie rights were optioned for The DUFF and I’m curious to see if that will happen. Looking forward to reading more from Ms. Keplinger.
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LibraryThing member lesleykj84
Right from the beginning Bianca is harassed by the school playboy Wesley. He tells her he only talks to her, the "Duff" to get in bed with her friends. And thus the giant whirlwind of problems begin to occur for poor Bianca.
To escape the problems at home, at school, and with her love life she seeks
But what happens when the escape turns into just another thing piled up in her life she can't understand? How will she handle it all when it comes crashing down?
Wow. Really. All I can still think is wow.
I have to be honest, when this book first came out I thought it was going to be a stinker. I myself was a Duff (or so I thought in high school) and the idea of the MC falling in love with the guy who called her that? Not realistic to me in any way and it bothered me.
But it didn't turn out that way. I started it today and finished it today. I couldn't put this book down even if there were a fire in the house. It pulled me in and I couldn't get enough.
Bianca and her friends are real and true characters. I could see them perfectly, and they never stopped being amazing. Bianca, despite her image about herself hides in this shell and never lets anyone see who she really is. And it worked, and I loved her.
I was surprised by Wesley. I hated him right there with Bianca. But as the book progresses he starts to grow on me, and by the end, I really liked him. I even rooted for him and I felt for him when you find out what's going on in his life.
And being the sap that I am, I cried in a part (or two). I wanted Bianca to stand up for herself, and when she did I bawled like a baby.
It might have had about 20 or more "f" bombs, and the sex scenes might be a little graphic, but it didn't matter. Take them out and it still was book I will never forget. And I will read again and again.
To escape the problems at home, at school, and with her love life she seeks
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solace in a relationship with Wesley. Purely sexual, nothing more. Or so it starts.But what happens when the escape turns into just another thing piled up in her life she can't understand? How will she handle it all when it comes crashing down?
Wow. Really. All I can still think is wow.
I have to be honest, when this book first came out I thought it was going to be a stinker. I myself was a Duff (or so I thought in high school) and the idea of the MC falling in love with the guy who called her that? Not realistic to me in any way and it bothered me.
But it didn't turn out that way. I started it today and finished it today. I couldn't put this book down even if there were a fire in the house. It pulled me in and I couldn't get enough.
Bianca and her friends are real and true characters. I could see them perfectly, and they never stopped being amazing. Bianca, despite her image about herself hides in this shell and never lets anyone see who she really is. And it worked, and I loved her.
I was surprised by Wesley. I hated him right there with Bianca. But as the book progresses he starts to grow on me, and by the end, I really liked him. I even rooted for him and I felt for him when you find out what's going on in his life.
And being the sap that I am, I cried in a part (or two). I wanted Bianca to stand up for herself, and when she did I bawled like a baby.
It might have had about 20 or more "f" bombs, and the sex scenes might be a little graphic, but it didn't matter. Take them out and it still was book I will never forget. And I will read again and again.
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LibraryThing member dasuzuki
This book definitely doesn't pull any punches and was a bit shocking to me for a YA book but I loved it. I don't agree with all the behaviors in the book but the story sucked me in and I did not want to put it down (although I must say parts of it had me blushing reading it in the middle of the
Wesley was probably my favorite character in the book. Despite being labeled a "man whore" by Bianca he is refreshingly honest even to the point of being cruel when he tells Bianca that she is the duff in her group. As we see more and more of Wesley we realize that he isn't the superficial, skirt chasing jerk that he first appears to be. He is having his own problems and is using the constant flings as his own way to deal with those issues. Underneath it all he actually has a heart of gold and really I am a sucker for those types of guys.
While I may not agree with how the characters in this book seem to try and avoid their problems with the constant sex I do like the message that at some point in time everyone feels like the "duff". Just because you may feel like that it doesn't define who you are and that others probably are not viewing you as harshly as you view yourself. And those that do judge you are probably trying to hide their own insecurities. This is definitely not a book for the prudish reader but I loved it.
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train on my commute to & from work). Bianca's character is so cynical and judgmental that she is almost hard to like but she comes across as very real. The problems she faces are ones that teens everywhere face. This book deals with issues about self confidence, sex, drinking, divorce, etc. You name it and it probably is at least mentioned in passing in this story. Unfortunately Bianca does not deal with the stresses she is facing in life well but to be honest a lot of people don't and we all have our vices. For her she turns to sex with Wesley to get her "high" to carry herself through the hard times she is going through. It's definitely not a healthy way to deal but I loved seeing the progression of the relationship between Bianca and Wesley.Wesley was probably my favorite character in the book. Despite being labeled a "man whore" by Bianca he is refreshingly honest even to the point of being cruel when he tells Bianca that she is the duff in her group. As we see more and more of Wesley we realize that he isn't the superficial, skirt chasing jerk that he first appears to be. He is having his own problems and is using the constant flings as his own way to deal with those issues. Underneath it all he actually has a heart of gold and really I am a sucker for those types of guys.
While I may not agree with how the characters in this book seem to try and avoid their problems with the constant sex I do like the message that at some point in time everyone feels like the "duff". Just because you may feel like that it doesn't define who you are and that others probably are not viewing you as harshly as you view yourself. And those that do judge you are probably trying to hide their own insecurities. This is definitely not a book for the prudish reader but I loved it.
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LibraryThing member scoutlee
Bianca Piper is not the prettiest of her friends. Well, that’s what Wesley Rush thinks anyway. He tells her she’s the “Duff”. Designated Ugly Fat Friend. See, Wesley’s plan is to be nice to Bianca in order to get closer to her two gorgeous friends, Casey and Jessica. And just who is
Bianca is furious with Wesley for labeling her this way. She vows not to speak to him and avoids him at all costs. But this changes when she’s paired with him for a school project. What started out as a “I HATE YOU” relationship turns into an enemies with benefit relationship. Bianca and Wesley start sleeping together and initially Bianca feels she has it under control. Sex with Wesley is a means to an end. She’s using him to distract herself from how terrible and out of control her home life is. Soon, things take an unexpected turn for Bianca when she realizes she has developed feelings for Wesley.
The DUFF may not be a book for all readers (but in fairness, can’t that be said for any book?) due to its sexual content. Yes, Bianca and Wesley have a lot sex. . . casual sex which raises red flags given their age. It’s quite easy for the reader to quickly judge Bianca for her actions and easily conclude she’s no different from the girls she ridicules.
It’s here where the reader needs to take a step back and focus on why she makes these decisions. The world that she knows, the world that she’s so protective of is falling apart and there’s nothing she can do but watch it crumble. To distract her from the pain, she sleeps with Wesley. But what she doesn’t realize is her emotions are causing her to connect to him on a level that is just as equally frightening.
Bianca certainly isn’t an easy character to like. She’s cynical, flawed and very judgmental. She’s secretive and withholding, but she’s scared and so insecure. She’s a teenage girl who sometimes doesn’t make the best decisions. Although circumstances may be different, some readers may see a little of themselves in Bianca.
The DUFF was a quick read for me, as I read it in less than three hours. I admit, I picked it up for that reason only so I was quite surprised that I was still thinking about it days later. Recommended.
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Wesley Rush? He’s the hottest, richest guy in their high school. Every girl has a crush on him. Almost every girl, anyway. Bianca certainly doesn’t believe in young, teen love and really doesn’t see why other girls are fascinated with Wesley. He’s really NOT all that.Bianca is furious with Wesley for labeling her this way. She vows not to speak to him and avoids him at all costs. But this changes when she’s paired with him for a school project. What started out as a “I HATE YOU” relationship turns into an enemies with benefit relationship. Bianca and Wesley start sleeping together and initially Bianca feels she has it under control. Sex with Wesley is a means to an end. She’s using him to distract herself from how terrible and out of control her home life is. Soon, things take an unexpected turn for Bianca when she realizes she has developed feelings for Wesley.
The DUFF may not be a book for all readers (but in fairness, can’t that be said for any book?) due to its sexual content. Yes, Bianca and Wesley have a lot sex. . . casual sex which raises red flags given their age. It’s quite easy for the reader to quickly judge Bianca for her actions and easily conclude she’s no different from the girls she ridicules.
It’s here where the reader needs to take a step back and focus on why she makes these decisions. The world that she knows, the world that she’s so protective of is falling apart and there’s nothing she can do but watch it crumble. To distract her from the pain, she sleeps with Wesley. But what she doesn’t realize is her emotions are causing her to connect to him on a level that is just as equally frightening.
Bianca certainly isn’t an easy character to like. She’s cynical, flawed and very judgmental. She’s secretive and withholding, but she’s scared and so insecure. She’s a teenage girl who sometimes doesn’t make the best decisions. Although circumstances may be different, some readers may see a little of themselves in Bianca.
The DUFF was a quick read for me, as I read it in less than three hours. I admit, I picked it up for that reason only so I was quite surprised that I was still thinking about it days later. Recommended.
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LibraryThing member bookjunkie4u
I was very happy with this book, it was fast moving, it showed alot of sexual relations with a female who had very low selfestem, i felt thought we as females whether skinny or fat could relate to some if not all of the issues the main character was having. I give this book 2 thumbs up and a piece
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of pie ot the author! Show Less
LibraryThing member callmecayce
Another great book that deals with the trials of being a teen in unexpected ways. I didn't know much about The Duff before I read it, but I was impressed and not just with the writing (which was strong). The plot is good and it deals with sex is probably the most casual, and mature (to some extent)
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way I've read in a long time. The sex is not the story, it's just part of the story. It's about growing up and figuring out who you are. It's less about being fat (which isn't specifically defined in the novel, regardless of the title) and more about not being perfect. I also thought Bianca was well developed and I was going to be pissed at the end, if it didn't end the way I wanted. Rarely do I do that, but sometimes books just drive me toward an ending that I want. I'd recommend this one to mature teens. Show Less
Awards
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (Top Ten — 2011)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2010
Physical description
352 p.; 5.12 inches
ISBN
9781444927986